Auto Accident Injury in Illinois

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Illinois? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in IL that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Illinois

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. The number of auto accidents in Illinois increased between the years 2017 and 2018. In 2017, the total number of crashes was 311,679, while in 2018, it was 319,146. The number of crashes resulting in bodily injury increased during the same time period, from 66,889 to 67,453. Fatal accidents, however, decreased slightly between the two years, from 998 to 951. In 2017, 32% of the fatal accidents involved an alcohol-impaired driver. In 2018, that percentage dropped to 27%.

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

If you are involved in a traffic accident that results in death, injury or property damage exceeding $1,500, you are required to file a car crash report. There is a caveat to this law: If either of the parties involved does not have car insurance, the property damage threshold is lowered to $500. Your report must be filed within 10 days of the accident, and you can submit your form electronically or directly to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it.

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

Two of the major costs associated with traffic deaths are medical costs and the costs associated with lost work. In 2018, Illinoisans suffered economic damages totaling $1.7 billion in these two areas. Fatalities accounted for $15 million of that loss, while the remaining $1.69 million was due to lost income. Motor vehicle occupants incurred 70% of the total losses. Pedestrian fatalities made up 15% of the total, while motorcyclist deaths were 13%. The remaining 2% was due to bicyclist fatalities.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Illinois

Liability Laws for IL

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

If you are in a car crash in Illinois, you can be found 100% at fault for the accident. However, state law establishes the possibility that more than one driver may be assigned a percentage of fault in an accident through a comparative negligence statute. If someone files a claim for damages associated with the crash, the amount awarded is based on the defendant’s percentage of responsibility for the accident.

Statute of Limitations in IL

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. The Illinois General Assembly’s Compiled Statutes, Section 13-202, indicates that anyone filing a lawsuit for a personal injury claim has two years from the date of the incident to do so. This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer In Illinois

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in IL!

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